Kuhar to perform Saturday at the Rookery

Posted: January 5, 2012 - 1:00am

JUNEAU EMPIRE STAFF REPORT

George Kuhar, one of Juneau’s most interesting and innovative musicians, will perform a solo show Saturday at the Rookery, featuring what he calls “original gospel music for an aquarian age.” The show begins at 7 p.m.

KXLL listeners might have heard Kuhar’s song “Fruit Falls” on the radio in the past few weeks, but most of the material Kuhar will be presenting is new.

“If it sounds unlike anything anybody in Juneau has ever heard, then I will have done my job correctly,” Kuhar said.

Singer and songwriter Kuhar will accompany his songs with acoustic guitar, ukulele and foot stomps.

Asked to provide a little bit of explanation for the “original gospel music for an aquarian age” description, Kuhar said, “I hope to acknowledge truths of the past and reveal truths of the future. The age of Aquarius is the age of universalism. I think this means that humanity is starting to feel it’s own heart beat.”

Kuhar, who moved to Juneau from Austin in 2006, has previously performed locally as part of Playboy Spaceman and Maybe It’s Reno with partner and former Unrest band member Bridget Cross. Kuhar and Cross have also presented original live soundtracks to films such as “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari,” recently shown at the downtown library, and “Nosferatu,” shown at the JACC in 2008. In previous shows Kuhar has often performed on an electronic keyboard and other digital equipment; the Rookery show will be more acoustic based.

Brian Nichols will open the evening with a selection of blues tunes.

“He is an amazing blues singer -- something that you just can’t fake,” Kuhar said of Nichols. “He’s the real thing.”

Beer will be available for purchase during the show, so this event is 21 and over. Admission is $7.